Abortive Tiger air attack in Trincomalee

Trincomalee: The Navy and the Air Force last night thwarted an LTTE air attack on the Trincomalee Naval Base.

During the abortive attack which occurred around 9.15 p.m., the Tiger aircraft dropped two improvised explosive devices which caused no injuries to any personnel or substantial damage to property, defence sources said.

The aircraft had come in from the Mullaitivu side and was detected by the SLAF radars. The Security Forces activated the air defence mechanisms.

Anti-aircraft fire and tracer bullets ripped through the night sky, residents said. To

The sources said the main targets could have been the base itself and the Jetliner troops carrier which leaves Trincomalee for Jaffna with hundreds of Forces personnel. The ship movement was not affected. The aircraft withdrew from the area after anti-aircraft measures were activated.